Richard Dawson, the original host of Family Feud, was a British actor and comedian who served from 1976 to 1985. The show, which aired on CBS from 1988 to 1993, was in syndication from 1988 to 1994. Dawson was known for his antics and wacky sense, and the show has endured with hosts such as Ray Combs, Louie Anderson, Richard Karn, John O’Hurley, and Steve.
The show was cancelled in 1988, followed by Ray Combs until 1994 when Dawson returned to the role. In 1996, police arrived at Glendale Adventist Medical Center to find a man hanging dead in a closet from a noose made from bedsheets. Dawson was later married to Gretchen Johnson, who won $12, 659 with her family in 1981.
Dawson passed away from esophageal cancer at the age of 79. He was the first host of the popular game show, emceeing between 1976 and 1985 and again between 1994 and 1995. In 1999, the series was revived through its first-run syndication with four different hosts: Louie Anderson (1999–2002), Richard Karn (2002–2006), and John O’Hurley.
Family Feud remained out of production until being revived for a third run in 1999 with new host Louie Anderson, who asked Dawson to make a special appearance. Following his death, GSN aired a marathon of the Emmy winner’s best moments on Dawson.
Richard Dawson, the original host of Family Feud, set the gold standard for the show’s hosting. Serving from 1976 to 1985 and briefly returning in 1994-1995, Dawson’s antics and wacky sense set the show apart from other hosts.
| Article | Description | Site |
|---|---|---|
| Family Feud | In 1999, the series was revived through its first-run syndication with four different hosts: Louie Anderson (1999–2002), Richard Karn (2002–2006), John O’Hurley … | en.wikipedia.org |
| Richard Dawson | Family Feud remained out of production until being revived for a third run in 1999 with new host Louie Anderson, who asked Dawson to make a special appearance … | en.wikipedia.org |
| The Hosts of ‘Family Feud’ in Order | Dawson was the first host of the show, and he defined the role like … Dawson died on June 2, 2012, from esophageal cancer. His body … | liveabout.com |
📹 The Family Feud Story: The Ray Combs Revival
Almost immediately after Richard Dawson’s tenure on Family Feud came to an end upon the show’s cancellation, creator Mark …
Who Is The Longest-Running Host Of Family Feud?
Steve Harvey is the longest-running host of "Family Feud," a role he's held since 2010, and is one of the longest-running hosts in television history. The show has just been renewed for its 2025-2026 season with Harvey continuing at the helm. His tenure has significantly boosted ratings and cultivated a loyal following. The original host, Richard Dawson, who led from 1976 to 1985, is still synonymous with "Family Feud." Other notable hosts have included Louie Anderson, who brought a warm presence from 1999 to 2002, and John O'Hurley.
Harvey also hosts "Celebrity Family Feud," where celebrities compete to raise money for charities. Since taking over, Harvey has surpassed Dawson's record as the longest-serving host in the show’s history. Throughout its various iterations, "Family Feud" has maintained its status as a beloved game show, drawing in audiences with its engaging format. Harvey’s involvement has further expanded his career, including hosting Miss Universe since 2015 and other projects. The show originally revived in 1999 saw multiple hosts before Harvey took over, but it is currently enjoying unprecedented success under his guidance.
Who Is The Star Of 'Family Feud'?
Richard Dawson, the original host of "Family Feud," entertained audiences from 1976 until 1985, known for his charming demeanor and notable habit of kissing female contestants. His legacy is closely tied to the show's identity. After Dawson's tenure, the show saw Louie Anderson revive it in 1999, followed by other hosts like John O'Hurley and Ray Combs, before Steve Harvey took the helm in 2010. Under Harvey's leadership, "Family Feud" experienced increased popularity, introducing a fresh energy to the format.
With six notable hosts throughout its history, including Dawson and Harvey, "Family Feud" has captivated audiences for decades. Dawson’s influence remains strong, as evidenced by memorable moments like contestant Gretchen Johnson winning $12, 659 in 1981 and later marrying Dawson. Harvey, an accomplished comedian and television personality, currently hosts both "Family Feud" and "Celebrity Family Feud." The show's format has remained largely unchanged since its inception, continuing to engage viewers and entertain families across generations. A detailed cast list features numerous contributors to the show's legacy, highlighting the lasting impact of its various hosts on American television.
Who Is The Longest Host Of Family Feud?
Steve Harvey began hosting Family Feud in September 2010 and has since achieved improved ratings, holding the record for the longest tenure of any host in the show's history. He also hosts Celebrity Family Feud, where celebrities compete to win money for their chosen charities. The show's original host, Richard Dawson, is iconic and served from 1976 to 1985 and again intermittently from 1994 to 1995. Dawson is credited with establishing a gold standard for game show hosting.
After Dawson, the show transitioned through several other hosts, including Ray Combs, Louie Anderson, Richard Karn, and John O'Hurley, before Harvey took the reins. Despite the ups and downs over the years, Harvey's popularity has kept the show in the spotlight, recently renewed for the 2025-2026 season. His unique style and charisma have endeared him to audiences, making him a beloved figure on the show.
Additionally, the show stands out for its parade of charismatic hosts over the decades, each contributing to its legacy in distinctive ways. Harvey continues to thrive, evolving Family Feud into a cultural staple.
Who Passed Away From Family Feud?
Kristin Bjorklund, a pivotal figure in the game show "Family Feud," passed away at 67 after a kidney transplant led to sepsis. Having spent over 40 years in the show's production, she was most recently co-executive producer. Her death was announced by friend Diane Hamilton. Additionally, Richard Dawson, the beloved host known for his affectionate kisses to female contestants, also passed away at 79 due to complications from esophageal cancer. Dawson's legacy includes his iconic role as the host of "Family Feud" and his acting in "Hogan's Heroes." His son confirmed his father's death, stating he succumbed to cancer-related issues.
Dawson's charm and humor made him a memorable television personality. Together, they leave behind significant legacies within the entertainment industry, with Bjorklund's Emmy-winning contributions and Dawson's enduring popularity on television. Their respective roles in "Family Feud" mark a notable era in game show history, filled with affection and memorable moments. The passing of both has resonated deeply with fans and colleagues alike.
Did The Host Of Family Feud Pass Away?
Richard Dawson, the iconic host of "Family Feud" and a star of "Hogan's Heroes," has passed away at the age of 79 due to complications from esophageal cancer, as reported by his son. Dawson, known for his charm and the trademark kisses he gave to female contestants on "Family Feud," died on June 2. His career began in the 1960s with "Hogan's Heroes," where he played Cpl. Peter Newkirk, showcasing his comedic talent. He later transitioned to hosting the beloved game show "Family Feud," where he became a household name.
Many remember him fondly for his engaging personality and the way he interacted with contestants, particularly the women. Throughout his career, Dawson earned acclaim, including an Emmy Award, and remained a beloved figure in the entertainment industry until his passing. Tributes have been pouring in as fans and friends remember the joyful moments he brought to television. Dawson's contributions to television and his unique hosting style have left a lasting impact on audiences and the game show format.
What Happened To The Family Feud Hosts?
"Family Feud" has seen several hosts in its nearly forty-year run, each contributing to its legacy. Richard Dawson was the original host, becoming synonymous with the show from its inception. After Dawson's departure, John O'Hurley hosted from 2009 until 2010, succeeded by Steve Harvey, whose tenure since then has seen significant ratings success. Richard Karn took over in 2002 after Louie Anderson was let go, but his stint was less impactful.
The show introduced the "Bullseye" round on September 14, 1992, renaming it "The New Family Feud." Tragically, former host Ray Combs ended his life in 1996 following struggles after being replaced by Dawson. Dawson himself passed away in 2012 from esophageal cancer. The show has had four announcers: Gene Wood, Burton Richardson, Joey Fatone, and currently Rubin Ervin. Steve Harvey recently hinted at his potential departure, sparking speculation about the future of the show. "Family Feud" has been renewed through the 2025-2026 season, ensuring it remains a staple of American television.
How Long Has Family Feud Been On TV?
"Family Feud" is a beloved American game show that first premiered on July 12, 1976, hosted by Richard Dawson on ABC. With nearly four decades of airtime, the show has undergone several host changes, each making their unique impact on its legacy. After its original run from 1976 to 1985, the show was revived in 1988 with Ray Combs at the helm until 1995. Steve Harvey is the current host, guiding two families as they compete to guess popular survey responses for cash prizes, making the show a staple of American television.
Over time, "Family Feud" has established itself as a chaotic and fun game show, known for its engaging format and entertaining hosts. The production operates efficiently, filming multiple episodes in a day. The format of the show allows contestants to win up to $20, 000, with additional prizes for consecutive victories. As one of TV's iconic game shows, "Family Feud" has maintained its popularity since its inception, thrilling audiences with humor and competition.
Did Richard Dawson Host Family Feud?
Richard Dawson was the original host of "Family Feud," serving from 1976 to 1985, and briefly returned in 1994. Before his game show fame, he gained recognition for his role as Corporal Peter Newkirk in "Hogan's Heroes" and as a panelist on "Match Game." Dawson was well-known for his charming demeanor, earning the nickname the "Kissing Bandit" due to his habit of kissing female contestants, a practice he discontinued during his 1994 return at his daughter’s request. His connection with the show was profound, as he was directly involved in its conception and was selected for his hosting role through an agreement with producer Mark Goodson.
On June 14, 1985, Dawson bid an emotional farewell to "Family Feud." Despite his popularity, there were behind-the-scenes controversies related to his conduct on the show, which often revolved around the kissing tradition. Dawson passed away at the age of 79, leaving a legacy as one of the most beloved game show hosts in television history. His unique style and personality set him apart from other hosts, making "Family Feud" an unforgettable part of American pop culture. Dawson's contributions to television and his memorable hosting have made him a lasting figure in the world of game shows.
Who Will Host Family Feud In 2024?
Steve Harvey has been the host of "Celebrity Family Feud" since 2015, while announcer Richardson served until 2023, replaced by Rubin Ervin in July 2024. In 2024, "Celebrity Family Feud" will have aired eleven seasons (one on NBC and ten on ABC). The current host of "Family Feud" is Myeshia Mizuno, marking her as the first Black woman to lead a prime-time game show. However, Steve Harvey continues to host "Celebrity Family Feud." Reports suggested that Harvey was removed from "Family Feud" following a slip during an Oprah Winfrey interview, yet he remains a staple on both "Celebrity Family Feud" and "Family Feud," which has been renewed through at least the 2025-26 season.
ABC confirmed the renewals of both "Celebrity Family Feud" and "Jeopardy! Masters." Mizuno has recently become the showrunner for "Family Feud," while Steve Harvey maintains his position as host, keeping fans delighted with his charismatic approach. The show is set to return for its 10th season featuring celebrity guests. Despite facing challenges, Harvey's legacy as a game show host continues to thrive in the competitive television landscape.
What Happened To The Original Family Feud Host?
Richard Dawson, the original host of the beloved game show "Family Feud," passed away on June 2, 2012, at the age of 79 due to complications from esophageal cancer. Known for his engaging personality and his memorable practice of kissing female contestants, Dawson hosted "Family Feud" from its inception in 1976 until 1985, returning for a final season from 1994 to 1995. His departure from the show in 1985 was marked by a heartfelt goodbye, and over the years, he became a well-loved figure in television, having also starred in "Hogan’s Heroes." Following his death, GSN aired a marathon showcasing his best moments on "Match Game" and "Family Feud," celebrating his legacy and contributions to television.
Dawson, born Colin Lionel Emm on November 20, 1932, began as a comedian and actor in England before becoming a game show panelist and host. His engaging style made him a household name and synonymous with "Family Feud." While his tenure was interrupted by other hosts, his charm and wit remained unmatched, leaving an indelible mark on the show. After his passing, his son confirmed the cause and commemorated his father’s influential career, ensuring his memory lives on in television history.
Who Hosted Family Feud And Killed Himself?
Raymond Neil "Ray" Combs, Jr. was a comedian and game show host best known for his role as the second host of "Family Feud" from 1988 to 1994. Combs made notable appearances on shows like "In Living Color" and "227," and he performed stand-up on "The Statler Brothers Show." Tragically, his life ended in suicide by hanging on June 2, 1996, at age 40, after ongoing struggles with marital issues and career setbacks, including being replaced as host of "Family Feud" by Richard Dawson.
While Combs earned nearly $1 million a year, he faced difficulties, with ratings declining during his tenure. In the weeks leading up to his death, Combs attempted suicide multiple times, exhibiting signs of severe distress, including self-harm. He hung himself with bedsheets in a psychiatric ward at Glendale Adventist Hospital, where he had been admitted for observation. Combs's death drew attention to his complicated life beyond the camera, contrasting his public persona with the personal challenges he faced. Following his passing, documentaries exploring his life and legacy were produced.
📹 Richard Dawson Ruined Family Feud
The first episode of Family Feud aired on July 12, 1976, on ABC, with Richard Dawson as the host. Dawson hosted the show for 9 …
Hearing about Ray’s downward spiral really got me emotional. I can’t even begin to imagine what those closest to him were feeling seeing him so depressed. Also TBH, I think that Ray’s remark about wanting the Bullseye board to land on him might have been a warning sign about how he was feeling, and might have even been a small cry for help.
I met Ray Combs at a event in Cincinnati the Webn fireworks/River fest he had just became host of family feud.he was a kind sweet funny man.i got to talk to him for 5-10 minutes he was guest hosting for the t.v broadcast for the fireworks.. I asked him for his autograph which he was so kind to give me.r.ip Mr Combs…
I grew up with both Richard Dawson and Ray Combs on Family Feud. I remember when Ray used to bring his children on stage at the end of the show. I really felt bad for him when word got out he was being fired from his job. Network TV is a brutal business. Just look at how Richard Dawson was treated by Match Game when they brought the wheel on. He was pissed off and left the show. When Match game was canceled that sent Gene Rayburn into depression. Ray I know you are in a much better place but the world could use your comedy. RIP both Ray and Richard
I remember when he showed up on the stand-up scene in the early 80’s at the Improv and the Store. He was a very nice guy, and didn’t struggle trying to find his stage persona like others because he kept his act extremely simple and likeable. We were jealous of him because we were trying to be real and organic, bringing our “baggage” on-stage and trying and make it funny, and he rose to the top with what we considered “fluff.” Ironically, his turmoil as a person was even worse than the so-called “agnst” we brought on-stage. perusal his life in this episode it is very sad and tragic. Rest in Peace Ray.
Ray’s mental health spiral reminds me of my own, one i was very lucky to escape from. Please if you are in that same situation, you are not alone, there are pepole who love and care for you, there are pepole who can help you, dont give into despair no matter how dark things are, they will get better. Take care of yourselves.
I have to say your articles are very well done, informative and entertaining! I never really bothered to watch the Family Feud Challenge pilot until I saw your article which triggered my curiosity. I immediately checked it out after perusal this. The second half of the show really emanated the vibes of the Japanese adaptation of Family Feud (Called “We Asked 100 People” which did very well—ran continuously from 1979-1992). The main game in Japan worked the same way for points out of 100. The winning family would get the points which would go into a bank at ¥500/point, with the last (5th) question being worth double points. Later in the run, the amount was increased to ¥700, then ¥1000. There wasn’t a Fast Money, instead they played something similar to the “second Bullseye” the FFC Pilot had. It was called “Travel Chance” and each family member was asked a different question and they had to get the most popular answers hidden inside Solari-flap panels—lo and behold on a drop-down prop covering the main game board. The scores they accrued amounted to how many people of the family would get a trip to Hawaii. If they collectively 120 points or more, then all 5 members win the trip. (100 points for 4 people, 80 points for 3, 70 points for 2, 60 points for 1, and 59 points or lower meant a bust). Interesting enough, the only Japanese influence that eventually made it (briefly) into the actual Combs version were the handheld “strike paddles” around ‘92. The Japanese version had used them to show visually to the audience that the family member didn’t give an answer on the survey.
Another exceptional article. Fascinating stuff, I had no idea the show was doing so poorly during these years. The late 80’s through 90’s was definitely all about the talk show though. Everyone had a talk show at some point. Once you had Hard Copy and Entertainment Tonight packaged together and Jeopardy and Wheel appearing together in many markets, it didn’t leave much room in the 7 – 8 slots. I think a show definitely had to work harder. Being a big fan of soaps from the 60’s – 90’s I think they were seen as far more important to the Daytime execs as well (until they weren’t) and game shows were dwindling in daytime through the 80’s and 90’s as well. Anyway, thanks again, also you have a great voice for this too. Can’t wait for the next part.
This is so sad on so many levels. Combs being blamed because the show did not live up to its original incarnation, amid endless tinkering with the game’s format. And Dawson returning to failure as well; looking so ill, like a shadow of his former self. And Combs, another comedian and genial on-air host, whose life ended in depression and suicide. You just never know what another person is going through.
Ray Combs was the second best host of Family Feud. During his run the design of the set looked very good. Sadly the show always kind of struggled when it was on between 88-94. Towards the end of it’s run they added bulls eye and some other stuff that took away from the show. I feel so bad for Ray Combs and he is remembered by many people in a positive way.
Yeah, Connor Higgins…..thanks to the transition that started with Oprah’s rise, plus the O.J. Simpson trial, the mid-1990s was a weird time for syndicated TV. To me, it’s like everything from Sept. 1995-around June 1998 was a really murky period for that, as the overall formatting that TV had in the 1980s was being slowly retired/phased out. I do view that part of the world of entertainment as a bit hazy, even now, long past the point where that happened. In terms of the people involved, no, Ray did NOT deserve to be treated like shit by Jonathan Goodson, and Jonathan should have known better than he did. His tweaks to Feud at that time, outside of host, probably hindered the show too. The only thing that should have happened then was increasing the jackpot to $20,000 in 1992 for a Fast Money win. Also, Feud should have built their seasons toward a true Tournament of Champions in the last 3 weeks of the season. 16 best families, statistically, battle it out in 4 rounds of single-elimination competition, with the finals happening on the last Friday of the season, with the winners taking home a $150,000 bonus. All 5-time champs get in automatically. I enjoyed Ray’s time as host of the show when I watched on ASN(now CTV2 Atlantic) in Atlantic Canada, and was SPOILED to get to, in 1992, watch Ray’s Feud as part of a game-show block they had on, which was from 6-8PM AT. The block was Supermarket Sweep Canada at 6, Ray’s Feud at 6:30, Wheel of Fortune at 7, and Jeopardy! at 7:30. Honestly, Feud in that time in the U.
Thank you for the Family Feud Ray Combs era article 🙂 You should do a article of The Story of the Nighttime Price is Right the Dennis James era from 1972-77 in the future. FYI: You should mention in the article about the Cliff Hangers Incident from 1976 when Dennis said “There Goes Fritz!” after the Contestant lost the game and Dennis failed to realized that it was the name of Janice’s husband whose name was also Fritz who had disappeared back in 1975 which resulted in sending Janice backstage crying for rest of the episode.
I can remember both Dawson and Ray hosting the show. When Dawson was on I could take it or leave it but I never missed a Ray Combs episode when on summer vacation or Christmas break. I thought he was great and very funny and enjoyable to watch. I’ve been where Ray was at that point in his life and it’s not easy and I myself wanted out. I hit rock bottom hard. But I didn’t give up and bounced back thanks to my Dad. I so wish I could have been the one perusal Ray on that terrible morning. I’m not saying that he wouldn’t have killed him self but he wouldn’t have done it that morning. I work in a hospital and suicide watch and prevention is one of my responsibilities. I would have loved to talk to him and hopefully help in anyway possible. He deserved so much better.
By perusal the first revival of Family Feud as a kid when the show ended in 1994, I got to feel sorry for Ray Combs. I didn’t know that after this he fell on hard times after the studio would go on a different direction, but not the case with Richard Dawson because the guy is just not in his prime anymore. I’m a huge Ray Combs fan and he was a very good and underrated host of the first revival of the Feud. And seeing the guy took his own life is very sad. He could’ve been so much more, but his heart just couldn’t handle the pressure. He will be dearly missed.
Awesome job putting this all together – you really did your research! Now I personally didn’t remember Ray Combs as the host when that version of the Feud was on – in fact, the first version of the Feud I remember perusal was Richard Dawson’s short-lived hour-long syndication revival. However as you pointed out, the end of Ray’s life was very tragic. With all this talk about mental health nowadays, I really wish he got the help and support he needed then before taking his own life. Oh well, I hope he’s now having a better time up there along with Dawson, Mark Goodson, and everyone else you acknowledged at the end. (BTW Louie Anderson also passed away three months after this article was published and nearly a couple years prior to this writing, but save him for the next part!)
Genuinely, Ray Combs is my favorite Family Feud host. I think Family Feud is the show with probably the best run of hosts (at least, when you look at shows that had as many host changes), but whenever GSN would run a streak of random Family Feud episodes from the pre-Harvey era his always stood out to me. The perfect mix of humor, heart, and kinda cracked out energy.
Actually from the E True Hollywood story, the producers wanted Joe Nameth to be host around 1981 when Richard Dawson was still host because Dawson contract was up for negotiations also the show was still a massive hit and Dawson was at the top of his game and was holding off on signing it and then at the last minute he did.
I loved Ray Combs on Family Feud when I was a kid. I missed him when he was fired from Family Feud although I didn’t know he was fired at the time. For a long time I wondered what had happened to him. Never liked Dawson so I didn’t watch Family Feud for much longer. Last year I made the mistake of looking up Ray Combs on wiki to see what happened to him. Sad story. He deserved better. I wish Family Feud with Ray Combs had better ratings or he had got a good Late Night Show. Marc Summers on Nickelodeon’s kid game shows and Ray Combs were my favorite hosts as a kid.
Yeah, Ray Combs was my favorite FF host by far. The internet wasn’t around, so I really had no idea the show was struggling, or at least, not pulling the same weight as it did 15 years prior with less competition. I just watched it every day I could, and so did pretty much everyone I know. Of course, I’m also originally from Ohio, and you just don’t see his type of midwestern humor much in mainstream entertainment media. Such a sad story. I wish there were more classic Combs-era episodes more widely available; seems like it’s always either Dawson or Harvey.
When the show came back in 1988, I think my mother’s opinion probably was the same as most people, “I don’t like it without Richard Dawson.” To have someone so highly identifed with a show not being there was a big obstacle they never really overcame. The changes to the show in 1994 when Dawson finally returned, were just too much. The changing TV landscape that you document very well was certainly a huge factor in it as well. I was working overnights in 1990 and in my city the syndicated Feud was on at something like three am. My supervisor during my TV programming internship at the time told me this was also a defensive move. They’d take a show like that and bury it to keep otehr stations from being able to carry it. Then if it showed momentum elsewhere, they could move it to a better time slot.
As a young child, I used to love perusal Ray Combs’s Family Feud at my grandparents house. When Richard Dawson came back, I had no idea he’d hosted the show before (I was only 6) and I thought Ray Combs wasn’t hosting because he was recovering from his car accident! When Ray died, my parents made sure not to tell me that it was suicide so I assumed that he was in another car accident and didn’t make it this time. I didn’t learn the truth until I was much older and saw his episode of E True Hollywood stories!
Jonathan Goodson ain’t $#!%, man… His firing Ray was, essentially, the reason why he committed suicide. I mean, sure, there were other, extremely unfortunate events in Ray’s life that culminated in his death, but Jonathan totally set the wheels in motion when you think about it. The way I see it, that piece of $#!%’s got blood on his hands; real talk. 😡 #RIPRayCombs
I am old enough to remember both Dawson and Combs. The latter years of Dawson became insufferable. He’d blather on with the families for so long and waste so much time. Then he’d rush the families along in the last rounds to get to fast money in time. His ego was bloated and the show suffered for it. Ray was a breath of fresh air. As a kid, I never was aware how it was doing in the ratings. As far as I knew, it was a smash success. I always found Ray much more personable and made perusal Family Feud fun again.
Us kids in HIGH SCHOOL were teary eyed hearing what happened to that poor man. I remember my friend jen being like sniff sniff the man from fsmily feud killed himself….suicide was a big topic of debate in our school. We had kids going to psych units, taking prozac(when it was the only psych med out there )cutting and then someone we watched at night while we did homework or ate dinner just offd themselves.
I used to love it when they had a giant sized contestant on the show and Ray would make size jokes, I recall there was a man named Tom in 1991 who was the head of his family who stood over 7 feet tall and was big. Ray would stand next to him and say something like: “The truth is I am 6’6″ and Tom is 9′ tall.” Ray looked quite tiny next to Tom. It was the size jokes that made his version of Family Feud memorable.
I know that in my neck of the woods, Kansas City, Missouri, the syndicated run of “Family Feud” with Ray Combs aired at 3 PM on WDAF website 4 (the then NBC, now Fox, affiliate for the market) for at least a year, maybe more. By the fall of 1992, however, it was airing on KCTV website 5 (our CBS affiliate) at 2:30 AM and then in the 93/94 season, website 5 moved it to 3:07 AM. Also, I remember perusal the “E: True Hollywood Story” episode about the Feud, and there’s an interview clip of Jonathan Goodson in which he said he sometimes blames himself for Ray’s suicide in 96. Any chance you could do a article series on “Love Connection”? That one was a syndication heavyweight in its day as well.
The hosting change was mishandled there, Connor. If I was Ray after Mark Goodson died. I would’ve resigned as host at the end of 92-93 as a show of respect to the person who advocated for me. And as a last act, I would’ve also warned the staff and Jonathan about bringing back Dawson and left a list of hosts who I think would be good.
Nowadays it’s, I’d argue, harder than ever to get a show cleared for syndication; not so much because of their being more shows offered than stations have room for on their schedules but rather, because so many stations are now filling more and more of their available slots with Local newscasts. ABC, CBS and NBC affiliates, in particular, are guilty of this. also when a show is cleared for syndication, it’s rarely promoted by the station on which it airs; if ever.
I think it is too bad you no longer seem to be making articles. This one for example has 48 thousand views. But I did notice that your subs weren’t that high. I really admire your format and how you pulled these together. I remember the Richard Dawson era of Family Feud the best. As you said they kissing didn’t age well however in the seventies it was much different than today. I always felt sad that Ray took his own life because I feel he could have had a future. I think maybe it was just too many things all at once for him.
I remember Ray was a guest of WLW-AM’s midday show, hosted by Mike McConnell, in Cincinnati. He was talking about FF’s plans for a tournament of champions — in the nighttime version. Indeed, the daytime show would have monthly ToCs — with the winners of the championship game taking home as much as $35,000. The tournament jackpot started at $25,000 plus $5000 for each Fast Money win. In the semis, if two members of the winning family scored at least 200 points, $5000 would be added to the pot. (Score of 199 or less meant bupkis was added to the pot.) As for the (proposed) nighttime ToC, the jackpot would start at $50,000; each success in Fast Money added $10,000 to the pot. As Ray put it, the jackpot building in Fast Money could go as high as $110K — meaning the ToC would have four quarterfinal games, two semifinals, and, supposedly, one “winners take all” game (or maybe two out of three to make it a nearly possible two-week sweeps period event?; I honestly don’t remember a nighttime version of a ToC during the Combs years). Ray also hosted a special localized FF on WLWT-TV pitting members of the TV station’s news team against McConnell and four of his radio colleagues. They weren’t necessarily playing for charity — just “the bragging rights to Cincinnati” as Ray pointed out throughout the show. Gene Wood and other FF staffers came to Cincinnati for this TV versus radio feud. I don’t remember much of the set used for the show. (I was perusal on an old black-and-white TV; WLWT was the one Cincinnati station that wasn’t on the cable dial when I lived in Dayton.
I really liked Ray such a great game show host he was so good and sometimes made me laugh to it’s a shame after family feud went down hill it wasn’t his fault that at this time family feud ratings were dropping we all have problems at times wish Ray didn’t take his own life it’s so heartbreaking Rest In Peace Ray i believe Ray could have got through all this in time but couldn’t.😔
It’s quite odd to see the sharp contrast between how Family Feud was in the US to Family Fortunes here in Britain. By this time this show essentially had the exact opposite ratings as the US version: everyone seem to have had watched it. Then again there were only 4 free to air websites, but the host we had at the time Les Dennis probably also helped with that. A shame to see how much they fucked over Ray Combs and what happened to him afterwards.
Your articles are very well-done. As someone who has been obsessed with TV since childhood (esp. game shows and soap operas), I usually already know most or all of the behind-the-scenes stories told in articles like this – not true for your articles. You have obviously have done extensive research, so kudos to you for an excellent product. I prefer the Dawson version to the Combs version, though the kissing creeped me out and I got tired of Richard trying to promote his sons’ band on the show. Combs’ standup schtick was obvious and overdone, though his sad end was so horribly tragic result of one bad break after another.
You know, I have to wonder if one of the reasons the CBS Daytime version was expanded to an hour was because the higher-ups thought, “Well, it worked really well for The Price is Right, so maybe it’ll work for Family Feud.” Perhaps they could’ve taken inspiration from The Price is Right’s structure, where you had two games played just the same, but with the second one having the current champions going up against returning ones from the first run, like they later did for the syndicated version.
10:12-10:22 I don’t agree with that at all. I never felt like Richard was talking down to anybody. Or “pretending to let them in.” He had a knack of being able to meet anyone on any level, without giving up who he was to do it. I thought he was very authentic with people, and genuinely interested, even for just a couple of minutes.
13:17 I’m guessing the daytime version was not carried on KSL-TV; actually, a similar situation occurred in Seattle as KIRO-TV(which at the time was owned by a company that was an arm of the Mormon church I think) did not carry the series at all during its entire run. Instead, KCPQ(now the Fox affiliate, but at the time it was still more of an independent station) aired the daytime show; while KOMO 4 aired the syndicated version at first at 4:30 PM, and then I think it moved to 11 AM, before moving to another independent station(KTZZ) in the market by the time Richard returned(KCPQ might have aired the syndicated version for a season, I’m not 100 percent sure).
I would kinda like to see this be done with the American version of “Whose Line Is It Anyway?”, especially for three reasons. One, I would suspect that it had some of the similar issues finding a network like the pilot for the revival of Family Feud talked about here. This is due to the fact that it was purely a British gameshow, and outside of PBS mystery series (Hi, Doc Martin), British based shows and translations were normally bungled along the way (cue the famous John Krasinski-Greg Daniels tryout conversation here). Two, Drew Carey was a dropout at Kent State for journalism. Guess what I’m in the process of doing now? And three, there are a LOT of careers that overlapped with the show. From guest stars like the late Chyna, the late Robin Williams, or Richard Simmons to the comedians themselves, like giving Kathy Kinney the appearance that made some directors and show creators the ability to see her as more than Mimi (like being a cop in My Name Is Earl), or the general welcome to Wayne Brady for a widespread audience. Also, you could talk about the CW revival with Aisha Tyler and tie that back in to your old UPN article.
Your content is very high quality. Do you have another website, or did you retire to do real life instead? Your Dawson article was great, as is this. I watched afternoon Dawson as a kid; never much Combs. My favorite here was that you knew about, and found the footage of, Combs walking off set. Your characterization of Dawson’s style was interesting. In the US, English comes off as classy, and Dawson as a performer tried to as well. The internet thinks he wanted to pass on Hogan’s Heroes because it required him to have a low-class (Cockney) accent. Dawson was thoroughly working class, though, leaving home at age 14 to pursue a boxing career. He genuinely bonded with these families, even as he loved the Hollywood high life.
Family Feud Hosts: 1.Richard Dawson (November 20th,1932- June 2nd,2012) (Years of hosting: 1976-1985; 1994-1995) 2.Ray Combs (April 3rd,1956- June 2nd,1996) (Years of hosting: 1988-1994) 3.Louis Anderson (March 24th,1953- January 21st,2022) (Years of hosting: 1999-2002) 4.Richard Karn (February 17th,1956-) (Years of hosting: 2002-2006) 5.John O’Hurley (October 9th,1954-) (Years of hosting: 2006-2010) (Al Roker Celebrity Family Feud 2008-2009) 6.Steve Harvey (January 17th,1957-) (Years of hosting: 2010- Celebrity Family Feud 2015-)
Perhaps a Combs era fan out there can help me with this: there’s an episode where a Fast Money contestant gives the off-the-wall answer of “snuff” (noun, not verb) and in the reveal Ray drawls, “Nothin’ like a pinch o’ snuff!” I’ve been unable to locate this episode. Probably CBS but can’t rule out SYN. Ring any bells with anyone?
I’ll never understand why… Or, maybe the better question is “how” those behind game shows think dialing up appearances of celebrity players/teams will draw more viewers. “The Weakest Link” was a quick casualty of this programming strategy also; the original US version started out well in the ratings, began to slip and so, NBC started focusing on celebrity teams which only killed it faster.
I’m just now realizing Combs and I were born less than six months apart. I suppose if, at the time, I had realized we were the same age, I would have envied his money and success (especially since I’ve wished I could be a game show host). I guess being a humble factory worker wasn’t the worst thing that could happen to me and envying other people’s lives is a stupid waste of time.
Knowing that Ray was a member of the LDS church makes his end even more shocking. They believe that once you get your ‘priesthood’, you get your own heaven plane of existence where you’re essentially a god when you die. I can’t imagine that is true if you end yourself, though. The amount of pain he was carrying must have been greater than many of us can imagine to throw all that away. Perhaps he lost his faith, too?
If Howard had issues with Ray wanting to bring more of his comic persona onto the show….I can’t imagine what he would have thought about Steve Harvey! From the roster of hosts that the show has had, I would think Richard Karn and John O’Hurley would come closest to what Howard would have wanted in a host. They didn’t seem to push themselves out too much outside the show’s format and identity, and there’s the fact that their career highs, Seinfeld and Home Improvement, were already behind them, so no room for ego. If anyone knows any behind the scenes stories with them that contradict my thoughts, let me know. (Before anyone mentions the late Louie Anderson, Howard, though not involved with the show by then, didn’t like him either. He felt Louie, like Ray, tried to make the show more the Louie show than the Feud.)
For the record, I’ve seen Richard Dawson kiss men on the show before. It didn’t happen a lot, but I can remember at least two or three times when he did and it was no bigger a deal than when he kissed the ladies. The kissing honestly never bothered me, but I grew up with Richard Dawson as a fan of both Hogan’s Heroes and FF, and it just seemed totally natural. He was being a charming gentleman, and the female guests genuinely seemed flattered. And in many countries, a kiss is seen as a normal part of a first greeting between men, women, or whatever. It’s strange what different generations find creepy though. Personally, I think Lizzo making paintings with her butt and broadcasting it around the world for all to see is incredibly creepy as well as tasteless, and certainly not charming or endearing. I guess it’s all a matter of perspective.
I’ve maintained that the first Dawson run and the Combs run are equal favorites for me and Connor described this difference perfectly. For me, they each had a style, they adhered to that style very well, and their styles fit the format in their own way. Both were masters at what they did for different reasons. (I rank Dawson’s return as the “worst” Family Feud host and not due to any circumstances but simply for how horrible his performance was).
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints actually owned two TV stations at the time–the other being KIRO-TV in Seattle, a CBS affiliate like its sister station KSL-TV. I don’t know if they didn’t carry the Combs version either, but they weren’t in a heavily Mormon area like Salt Lake City is. Perhaps some from Seattle and Tacoma can chime in on that.
The legend should VA warning to everyone showbiz is not constant unless you’re extremely popular so the thing to do is to save money and not spend carefree. Unfortunately Ray Combs found that out the hard way and as a young man of only 40. He got a fat salary with family feud but apparently it was more than he had before so he started spending money foolishly. I miss him I thought he was funny and hilarious and I’m really surprised more people did not pick him up as a stand-up comedian. Rest in peace Ray combs. I understand the demons you had and I sympathize I have the same demons except I have grandkids.
I grew up with Richard Dawson but finally had to abandon the Feud a year or two in the Combs run, and here’s why: The show, in a word, had become hidebound. The novelty was gone. For all of Combs’ misinformed comparisons between his career and Johnny Carson’s (Carson having already tried and failed at hosting a game show as well as his very own show before his success, with newfound sidekick Ed McMahon, as the very first host of “Who Do You Trust?”), the sadly doomed man ignored those examples and all less successful ones of one of TV’s fundamental truths: NEVER succeed a personality in the role he made successful. You will be looked at as, at best, an heiress–and at worst, a usurper. In between are littered the detritus of Coy and Vance Duke, Fake Jon-Boy, Agent Scully’s investigators, the Reunion show Gingers, Priscilla Barnes, Jolene Hunnicutt, several pale Perry Mason imitators and The Hogan Family, just to name a few. Heck, no less than Donna Reed even got unceremoniously put out to pasture when Barbara bel Geddes decided she could finally come back to her part in “Dallas.” Point being that as long as Dawson and Mark Goodson were viable showbiz players, “Family Feud” was theirs. Combs was never going to make that show his. I think he realized, too late, how sadly little of his career was really his own. RIP guys.
Out of all the Family Feud hosts, Ray Combs was my favorite, I also really loved the set during his era. It was modern, but still looked very classy. Most people weren’t a fan of the freeze frame family portrait intros, but I always liked it. The newer sets just feel too flashy for me. What I loved most about Ray was how witty he was. I never felt like he was reaching for jokes, but it looked like it came naturally to him. I really loved how much improv he did with interacting with contestants. He was always willing to joke about himself as well, especially about his height and when it came to comparing himself to taller contestants. It was also during his time on the show where it “was” possible for a contestant to get the full 200 points in the first turn for Fast Money and then Ray could joke with the second contestant. I think it’s sad the producers no longer make this scenario possible anymore since most #1 answer point values in Fast Money rarely hit close to 50 anymore. His bits of letting a contestant host the show for a question was always fun to watch as well, though some were a bit more cringe to watch than others, but it was funny nonetheless. The celebrity specials may have been overdone, but I really liked re-watching the ones for WWF superstars and The Young and the Restless vs The Price Is Right. I also thought, the music for the Combs era was the best, especially with the new instrumentation of the fiddle for the intro, sounded very classy, like this was a game show where both families came in their Sunday Best to win.
How did this Howard Felsher know that Ray Combs didn’t care about FAMILY FEUD, but his career & his stardom & that FAMILY FEUD came second to him?? I’m not doubting that HF butted heads with Richard & Ray & that Richard was pretty egocentric. But, somehow, I believe that HF was partly to blame for being disrespectful to both Richard & Ray, which in turn caused them to be the way they were. I saw on the E TRUE HOLLYWOOD STORY that HF hated Louie Anderson as the show’s third host. Gee, I can only imagine how he felt about Steve Harvey as the show’s current host. 🙄
Ray was the best host because he made it fun, whereas all the other hosts were stoic and didn’t put as much energy into it and just kind of went through the motions. I think the show’s ratings tanked after they took the “Family” out of the Family Feud because every time I tuned in, they would have the American Gladiators on and I couldn’t stand those shows. I wanted to see genuine everyday people. I always felt that Ray had been dropped as the host way too soon. I wanted to watch him on the Family Challenge, but we didn’t get The Family website. I can’t even believe that Family Feud is still on the air because the show is so boring and decades past its prime.
You wanna hear an unpopular opinion, Connor? Even though Ray Combs was the best host outside of Dawson (Steve Harvey has become overrated IMO due to the extreme sex humor), Ray should’ve never hosted Family Feud for one main reason. Although Combs appearing on Carson boosted his star power, he way still fresh and new at the end of the day and he needed to spend another 2-5 years in the public eye to boost his star power that would even qualify him to host Family Feud. Changing landscape of television aside, that’s why the show’s ratings declined over the years because Combs was still a nobody to the public eye. Mark Goodson should’ve stuck with Joe Nameth being Richard Dawson’s replacement on Family Feud simply because he obviously had 10x more star power than Combs that would’ve kept the show in steady ratings despite television’s heavy focus on tabloid shows and sitcoms. Ratings might’ve not soared under Nameth but they wouldn’t have dropped as it did under Combs. Also Combs spending 2-5 years boosting his star power would’ve opened more opportunities for him in the world of comedy which was something he ultimately wanted more than hosting Family Feud as he stated himself. P.S. I always thought it was a stupid idea of bringing Dawson back to boost the shows ratings. It reminds me of how WWE is always relying on part-time superstars from the 90s past their prime in order to boost their ratings. They should’ve let Dawson enjoy the rest of his retirement from the get go and ended the shows 2nd run with Combs.
Great article. Here is my take. FF ran its course in 1985. It should never have been resurrected. Dawson was the best. Ray wasn’t ready for a series of that caliber. He should have stayed with warm up/comedian gigs, and done comedy tv series guest shots and even public speaking. His run on Feud was quite embarrassing. I occasionally watched, but each time, his massive self worth overtook the proceedings. Again, he was saddled with a dead horse. It truly is a shame that he wasn’t given other opportunities. Family Challenge, which I saw a few times, was pathetic. Even though I didn’t care for him, he deserved better.
Guess I am giving away my age ❤❤Richard Dawson on Match Game, Hogan’s Heroes guest on McMillan and Wife oh yeah and Family Feud Would have had no problem with being kissed That being said never would have been able to play the game now without being embarrassed by some of the questions (I know that is part of the draw) Very interesting history of show didn’t know Dawson was being an egotistical person so sad because he was talented,
You’re assessment on Richard Dawson is purely personal. face it, you didn’t like Dawson and it’s reflective on your narrative of his kissing on the show. Dawson was long gone when the “Me Too” movement began so to say his behavior was a spotlight, is dead wrong. If you’re going to do these shows, it’s best to keep ‘commentary’ and your personal beliefs off the table. Dawson did nothing wrong … PERIOD!!!
I don’t know who you are though I promise you Richard Dawson was the best host by far the original… The Emmy winner… The reason the ratings were down in the 90s is because it was the exact same time as the OJ scandal. Your personal bias is quite obvious, though I suggest you look at the actual facts and the men you are commenting on… Richard Dawson came from nothing… Helped everyone he knew and that he didn’t…marched in Salma with Martin Luther King… received multiple death threats for kissing women of color…do your research and perhaps try and fix your grammatical errors… Richard Dawson was forced to stop school at age 13, due to bombing and lack of resources, yet his grammar spelling historical knowledge went beyond the most educated scholar
Richard Dawson is the best Family Feud game show host of all time, he kisses all the women by the cheeks, way better than Ray Combs, My grandmother Grandma Elaine Viola Ruston “Slim”, was a die hard game show watcher, like Family Feud, Let’s Make A Deal, The Price Is Right, Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy.